Dublin, 31st January 2020 – Levy Ireland and the Aviva Stadium have today announced new initiatives aimed at addressing the issue of sustainability, which are set to be implemented at the Ireland vs Scotland game on the 1st February.
As preparations begin for Ireland’s Guinness Six Nations campaign, Levy Ireland, the Aviva Stadium and Diageo have launched a reusable cup initiative across the venue. Following a well-received trial in August last year, the stadium will see a reduction of over half a million single-use plastic cups a year going to landfill. Under the scheme, fans and guests are encouraged to use reusable cups and once finished, return them in designated drop-off points around stadium concourses or return them to any bar.
On top of this, the companies are introducing reusable condiment dispensers across the venue, saving an estimated 370,000 individual plastic sachets from being wasted. Both parties are also working hard towards reducing food waste by using more of the animal in cooking, whilst offering plant-based alternatives alongside traditional dishes as part of Levy’s ambition to reduce red meat consumption across its venues by 50% by the end of 2020. Under Levy Cares, Levy has committed to cut 30% of sugars out of menus and through culinary innovation and ingredient re-purposing will reduce food waste by 20% by the end of 2020.
The ten year partnership between the two companies is underpinned by the Levy Cares principles which underlines the importance of the global food industry’s role in combatting the current climate crisis. The two companies have committed to operate under the international standard for sustainable events management ISO 20121, ensuring the stadium reduces its environmental footprint.
In addition, as part of an ongoing project, the Aviva Stadium has pledged to work with local suppliers to provide local and Fair-Trade produce where possible. The partnership forms part of the AvivaStadium’s overall strategy of operating in a sustainable manner, minimising the negative impact its operations have on the environmental, economy, stakeholders and society.
Levy UK & Ireland
Levy UK & Ireland is the sports and hospitality sector of Compass Group UK and Ireland. It is the market leader in the provision of legendary food and drink experiences at some of the UK’s most significant sporting, arena and leisure venues.
Through strong client partnerships, Levy UK & Ireland creates bespoke food concepts, service standards and pioneering design, implementing a guest-first approach and ongoing innovation at each venue. With a company-wide passion for food, Levy UK & Ireland creates menus and food experiences that feature fantastic seasonal dishes, with a strong focus on local ingredients.
Aviva Stadium
Aviva Stadium is a 50,000-seater stadium located close to Dublin City Centre. The stadium management company (new Stadium DAC) is a joint venture between the Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) and the Football Association of Ireland (FAI). It was built on the site of the former Lansdowne Road Stadium which at the time of its demolition was the oldest sports stadium in Europe. The building was opened in 2010 and a naming rights agreement with Aviva Insurance plc. was put in place.
As one of the leading venues in its sector in Europe, the Aviva Stadium’s mission is to operate a first-class international stadium on behalf of the IRFU and FAI, providing an outstanding venue for matches, concerts, conferences and events, offering exceptional customer experience.